No. 90 April May 2016
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TRIPLE-M REGISTER BULLETIN April/May 2016 PB.0439: Jonathan Sage PA.0786: Mike Davies-Colley PA.0514: Alexa Reynaga MG’s on Track: Goodwood February 2016 Photograph by Colin Murrell www.triple-mregister.org 2 BULLETIN No 90 April/May 2016 Front Cover Picture: Car of the Year 2016: GX 9693 A rare view of Duncan Potter and Emma Withers in GX9693 at the same time and without racing overalls. Congratulations to them for a very consistent performance throughout the year and a well deserved award for the hard working car. Editorial Welcome to the second Bulletin of 2016. The Triple-M scene is already up and running and a number of events will be history by the time you read this. I should probably explain why the last Bulletin was late in arriving and why this edition may also be late. The February/March edition was the first produced using new software, a move that was forced on us and meant that Bob could no longer do his editorial magic. It has been a steep learning curve and all the hard work has been done by Lyn Handy who has the misfortune to work with me and made the mistake of showing an interest in the process of producing the Bulletin. She is also an MG owner, albeit a ‘modern’ MGF Trophy. To make up for the lack of UK events through the winter we have another taste of MG life in Australia. This time we have an excellent report from our President on his visit to the Bathurst event last year. We also have some notes and photographs from Peter Kerr giving the ‘Aussie’ view of the same event. Other highlights are the promised follow-up to the centre-spread photo of MG 3880 and a technical article on cylinder head lubrication from Barry Foster. In anticipation of the much awaited Ulster Tour we have a fascinating article about the 1938 Circuit of Ireland winning PB. This is particularly appropriate as the same car has recently been put back on the road and has been entered in the Ulster Tour. Many thanks to Simon Johnson for providing the original article and for pointing me in the right direction to make contact with the current owner, Martin Gratte. Corrections: We have been advised of a few corrections and amendments to the last issue: ● Albury Invitation: We have been advised that the e-mail address is printed wrongly and should have a full stop after the number 1: [email protected] ● Manx Article: Christian Hoptner has provided the following corrections: Mansell was incorrectly referred to as Dennis Marshall; the Midget was J.4004 and in case anyone is interested in Bugattis the totals should have read 1 x Type 37 and 2 x Type 51. ● Bob Richard’s email: please note that Bob has had to change his email. The new address is now included on Page 46. ● Apologies to George Eagle for cropping his first paragraph www.triple-mregister.org 3 Future Events: 2016 Brands Hatch: Triple-M racing Sunday 1st May MGCC Silverstone 4th/5th June Register Tour: Ulster 7th-12th June Register AGM: Abingdon Sunday 26th June Register Summer Gathering Sunday 10th July Pre-war Prescott Saturday 16th July Cadwell Park: Triple-M racing Sunday 24th July VSCC Prescott 5th/6th/7th August VSCC Pembray 20th/21st August MGCC Wiscombe Hill Climb 10th September TRIPLE-M REGISTER SUMMER GATHERING Sunday 10th July 2016 The Triple-M Register’s annual Summer Gathering with BBQ lunch is again being organised by Peter Green and will take place at his home in Farnham Royal on Sunday 10th July, commencing at 11.30 a.m. The event is open to all Triple-M owners and their friends, whether their cars are on the road or not. The event will be run on similar lines to previous years, there will be a self-judging pride of ownership and a light hearted gymkhana for those who want to take part, as well as some other fun competitions to keep everyone amused. Also after its success last year there will again be a ‘Bring and Buy’ stall for those that have parts or memorabilia to sell. The cost of entry is £15 per person which includes the BBQ lunch and drinks throughout the day. Peter regrets that it will not be possible to enter on the day as he has to know in advance how many people will be attending so that he can provide enough food and drink for everyone. Please also note that the number of participants is restricted to 120, so please enter in plenty of time to avoid disappointment. An entry form is included with this Bulletin and can, if necessary, be downloaded from the ‘Document Downloads’ page of the Triple-M website www.triple-mregister.org www.triple-mregister.org 4 Chairman’s Jottings By Dick Morbey Welcome to the April edition of our Register Bulletin. It in the nature of things that contributions to these pages have to be written some time before the publication appears in print, and may therefore have limited predictive power. For example, in the previous edition I promised that this month we would let you have details of how to access the details of you and your car on the new Register database. The good news is that the database project is steaming ahead; we shall be having an all day working seminar for the Registrar and database administrators on 1st April (some might say an appropriate date). This should be the final proving session, following which I hope the committee will be able to sign the project off and unleash it on an eagerly expectant membership. Those of you who were able to see an early version of the database in action at the Stoneleigh show did say how useful and impressive you found it. So please bear with us for just a little longer - we're nearly there! But in the meantime do please remember to tell us whenever: - You buy a Triple-M car - Sell a car (in which case please give us details of the buyer!) - Change your address or telephone number or your e-mail address Competition Preparations for the 2016 UK competition scene continue apace. Mark Dolton has been particularly active in promoting Triple-M racing interests, which this year have already included an MGs on track session at Goodwood race circuit in February. The Parnell K3 was in action at the Goodwood Members' Meeting on 20th March and acquitted itself well. On Sunday, 1 May we have the Triple-M race at the MGCC race meeting on the Indy circuit at Brands Hatch where the Mary Harris Trophy will be competed for. 12 cars have already entered and more entries are 'in the post'. Mark's target is 20. Quite apart from the competitive aspect, this event should be an occasion for fun and celebration, including the presentation of the 2015 competition awards, so do please come along to support your Club and Register on this important occasion. On 24th July there will be a Triple-M vs Austins race at the VSCC Cadwell Park meeting, followed on 20/21 August by a team relay race at VSCC Pembrey. www.triple-mregister.org 5 Social Events On Sunday 10th July we have Peter Green's very popular Summer Gathering. Application forms should be in this edition of the Bulletin. A reccy of West Cornwall will take place later this month with an eye to a Register touring event there in the first week of October 2017. So far expressions of interest have been received for 23 cars but to be viable we need to more than double that, so please let us know if you may wish to take part. Watch this space for further news. Your Committee Those of us who are fortunate enough to own a Triple-M car may not always stop to think about the service we receive from the Register committee and its volunteer members. We have now reached a stage when several of the committee wish to take a break - particularly those who have been in office for very many years or indeed decades. As of now: - The 2015 Yearbook will be the final one which Cathelijne Spoelstra will be editing, so our most pressing requirement is to find a volunteer to take over from her; - Our long-serving Librarian Peter Hemmings wishes to pass on his responsibilities to a successor; and - Graham Arrondelle is looking to reduce his overall duties as Registrar and focus on just the PB model. We will be working on a succession plan to refresh the committee in stages, in order that owners' interests can be supported into the future. However right now is a critically important time for the Register and we really do need some new blood. With all the talent that is out there amongst you owners there will be many ways in which you could contribute, so may I urge you to get in touch with any of the committee (details in the back in this edition) to offer your skills? Just think of the thrill of being able to put something back into our little community! Let's be 'aving you! The AGM All of the above and much more will be up for discussion at our AGM which will take place at Kimber House, Abingdon at 3 p.m. on Sunday 26th June. All MGCC members are encouraged to attend and non-members are also welcome as observers.